Why Baboons are still an attraction in East Africa

In East Africa, there are basically two types of baboons that is the yellow baboon and the olive baboon. The olive baboon is larger and darker than the yellow baboon and they are only found in Uganda, west and central Kenya, and northern Tanzania.Smaller, slender, lighter in color-yellow baboon are found in the southern and coastal Kenya and Tanzania.There existence in Uganda has greatly led to increase in safaris which extend to other countries like Rwanda.

A mature Baboon weighs between 50 to 100 pounds and its 14 to 25 inches at the shoulder. They are omnivorous animals and they feed mainly on grass along with seeds, berries, pods, blossoms, leaves.roots, bark and sap from a variety of plants. Baboons also eat insects and small quantities of meat such as; young- small antelopes, fish, hares and birds. One special feeding aspect of baboons is that they are selective feeders that carefully choose their food.

Giving birth and caring for the infant

A baboon’s gestation period is six months and after giving birth, the mother baboon keeps the infant in very close contact. This is done to protect them from humans, leopards and cheetahs which are the main predators to them. The mother travels while holding its infant on its stomach with one hand. When the young baboon makes 5 weeks, the mother starts carrying it at the back. Between 5-7 months, the young baboon is left to join other baboons and look for its own food. When they begin to mature, males leave their natal troops and move in and out of different other groups until when they find one that is suitable for them. Males are easily accepted in other groups usually by developing friendship with the females.

Characteristics

Baboons have a calm lifestyle and if not disturbed, they cannot attack their neighbours.They sleep, travel and socialize together in groups of about 60 individuals consisting of both males and females. These groups are always on family basis .At around 8:00 am, baboons leave their sleeping places and adults sit in small groups grooming each other while the young ones play the morning sunlight. They then form units and move around the forest searching for food. They feed while traveling and they move for about six miles. They forage for about four hours and rest during the heat of the day after which they continue feeding. In the evening just before returning to their sleeping places, they spend some time grooming each other and playing. Grooming is a way of making friends and cleaning their bodies so that parasites are kept off their bodies.

Our company can help you experience this enchanting lifestyle of baboons by picking you at the airport,take your to your preferred hotel for relaxation.You will be picked by our experienced drivers and guides who will brief you before you continue with your safari to Uganda. Spend days in different lodges near the baboons and camp.

Just like chimpanzees,baboons are also tracked and one might have the same experience just like a person tracking the gorillas.